Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains narrowly ahead of Nikola Jokic in ESPN’s latest NBA MVP straw poll, holding the top spot for the third straight time.
The poll, conducted Monday and Tuesday among 100 media members, highlights just how tight the race has become as the season moves forward.
Gilgeous-Alexander received 57 first-place votes and 865 total points, edging Jokic, who earned 42 first-place votes and finished with 822 points.
Luka Doncic placed third with 432 points, followed by Cade Cunningham and Jalen Brunson. The rest of the ballot reflected a wide spread of support, underscoring the depth of elite talent across the league.
Oklahoma City’s dominance has played a major role in Gilgeous-Alexander’s case. The Thunder own the NBA’s best record and a historic net rating of plus-16.9 points per 100 possessions, surpassing the mark set by the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls.
Their level of control has sparked comparisons to the rare teams that have crossed the 70-win threshold.
“If we get better than what we are now, that should take care of itself,” Gilgeous-Alexander said recently. “Goals, to me, are pointless [when you’re] trying to reach them when they are so far away.”
Statistically, he continues to deliver at an elite level, averaging 32.4 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 33.0 minutes per game while defending his 2025 MVP as the Thunder chase a potential repeat title.
Jokic, meanwhile, is once again redefining what a center can do. He leads the league in rebounds at 12.3 and assists at 10.9 while scoring 29.6 points per game, and has now finished first or second in MVP voting in five consecutive seasons.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads NBA MVP Race Over Nikola Jokic In ESPN Straw Poll https://t.co/Qgs6Lrzq48
— RealGM (@RealGM) December 19, 2025
